By LuAnn Morgan, contributing writer Lisa and Leonard Lusk like to blame their daughter for the two dozen appaloosas wandering their farm. “We had to find something she could feel good about,” Leonard said. The way the story goes is Leonard was the athletic principal at Wasilla High School in Alaska. “The kids thought everything [...]
The Irrigation Association will host a water conference July 22 and 23 in Park City, Utah, at the Grand Summit Resort. This new event will feature presentations by industry professionals, government officials and members of academia. Topics include climate change, water scarcity, water regulation and legislation, irrigation technology innovations, water rights conflicts and other issues [...]
Applications for the American Angus Auxiliary scholarships are now available online. The post-mark for applications is May 10. Interested junior angus members may download the application, access directions, frequently asked questions and general information by visiting: angusauxiliary.com/scholarships/index.html. For specific state and local auxiliary scholarship deadlines and information, visit the auxiliary Web site or contact your [...]
The Washington State University Grant-Adams Area Extension Master Gardeners will offer workshops across Grant County to assist beginning gardeners with planning and developing a backyard vegetable garden. The series of three classes is for anyone interested in vegetable gardening. Children 12 and over are welcome. Topics include garden design, planting, seedbed preparation and harvesting. Classes [...]
Darel Olson, Grant County Noxious Weed Control Board, was fined $450 by the Washington State Department of Agriculture for applying herbicides to the Grant County waste transfer station near Mattawa. In addition, his public operator license was suspended for seven days. The Mattawa station is surrounded by orchards and vineyards. The herbicides were applied during [...]
Ignoring Gov. Chris Gregoire’s call for no new taxes, Senate Democrats have introduced a business and occupations tax on farmers. Senators Craig Pridemore (D-Vancouver), Phil Rockefeller (D-Bainbridge Island) and Adam Kline (D-Seattle) sponsored SB 5911 causing farms with gross receipts of $200,000 or more to be subject to the state’s B&O tax. The bill would [...]
Northwest Farm Credit Services (NFCS) announced earnings of $124.4 million and growth of owned loan volume of 20 percent for 2008. Total capital in the association increased 6.4 percent during 2008. President and chief executive officer Jay Penick said NFCS experienced another year of strong financial performance, significant loan growth, minimal loan delinquencies and [...]
Gov. Chris Gregoire has appointed Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, as director of the Washington state Department of Agriculture. “I am honored that Dan has accepted this position,” Gregoire said. “As a farmer and state legislator, Dan brings a wealth of experience to the Department of Agriculture and understands the important role agriculture plays in our [...]
By LuAnn Morgan, contributing writer The third annual Junior Rodeo is set for June 20 and 21. That may seem like a long way off, but it’s not too early to start raising funds for the event. Ray McMurray, one of the organizers, is looking for sponsors and volunteers. So far, he’s had a great [...]
While the global economic slowdown is likely to have an impact on Washington’s food and agriculture exports, 2008 was a banner year for Washington’s exporters. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, food and agriculture exports from Washington ports topped $14.8 billion last year, a 60 percent increase from 2007. The dramatic increase in exports [...]
